Battle Plans

Israel's next war has begun.

The next Middle East war -- Israel against genocidal Islamism -- has begun. The first stage of the war started two weeks ago, with the Israeli incursion into Gaza in response to the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier and the ongoing shelling of Israeli towns and kibbutzim; now, with Hezbollah's latest attack, the war has spread to southern Lebanon. Ultimately, though, Israel's antagonists won't be Hamas and Hezbollah but their patrons, Iran and Syria. The war will go on for months, perhaps several years. There may be lulls in the fighting, perhaps even temporary agreements and prisoner exchanges. But those periods of calm will be mere respites.

The goals of the war should be the destruction of the Hamas regime and the dismantling of the Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Israel cannot coexist with Iranian proxies pressing in on its borders. In particular, allowing Hamas to remain in power--and to run the Palestinian educational system--will mean the end of hopes for Arab-Israeli reconciliation not only in this generation but in the next one too.

For the Israeli right, this is the moment of "We told you so." The fact that the kidnappings and missile attacks have come from southern Lebanon and Gaza -- precisely the areas from which Israel has unilaterally withdrawn--is proof, for right-wingers, of the bankruptcy of unilateralism. Yet the right has always misunderstood the meaning of unilateral withdrawal. Those of us who have supported unilateralism didn't expect a quiet border in return for our withdrawal but simply the creation of a border from which we could more vigorously defend ourselves, with greater domestic consensus and international understanding. The anticipated outcome, then, wasn't an illusory peace but a more effective way to fight the war. The question wasn't whether Hamas or Hezbollah would forswear aggression but whether Israel would act with appropriate vigor to their continued aggression.

It wasn't the rocket attacks that were a blow to the unilateralist camp, but rather Israel's tepid responses to those attacks.

So it wasn't the rocket attacks that were a blow to the unilateralist camp, but rather Israel's tepid responses to those attacks. If unilateralists made a mistake, it was in believing our political leaders -- including Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert -- when they promised a policy of zero tolerance against any attacks emanating from Gaza after Israel's withdrawal. That policy was not implemented -- until two weeks ago. Now, belatedly, the Olmert government is trying to regain something of its lost credibility, and that is the real meaning of this initial phase of the war, both in Gaza and in Lebanon.

Still, many in Israel believe that, even now, the government is acting with excessive restraint. One centrist friend of mine, an Olmert voter, said to me, "If we had assassinated [Hamas leader] Haniyeh after the first kidnapping, [Hezbollah leader] Nasrallah would have thought twice about ordering another kidnapping." Israel, then, isn't paying for the failure of unilateral withdrawal, but for the failure to fulfill its promise to seriously respond to provocations after withdrawal.

Absurdly, despite Israel's withdrawal to the international borders with Lebanon and Gaza, much of the international community still sees the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers as a legitimate act of war: Just as Israel holds Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners, so Hamas and Hezbollah now hold Israeli prisoners. One difference, though, is that inmates in Israeli jails receive visits from family and Red Cross representatives, while Israeli prisoners in Gaza and Lebanon disappear into oblivion. Like Israeli pilot Ron Arad, who was captured by Hezbollah 20 years ago, then sold to Iran, and whose fate has never been determined. That is one reason why Israelis are so maddened by the kidnapping of their soldiers.

Another reason is the nature of the crimes committed by the prisoners whose release is being demanded by Hezbollah and Hamas. One of them is Samir Kuntar, a PLO terrorist who in 1979 broke into an apartment in the northern Israeli town of Nahariya, took a father and child hostage, and smashed the child's head against a rock. In the Palestinian Authority, Kuntar is considered a hero, a role model for Palestinian children.

The ultimate threat, though, isn't Hezbollah or Hamas but Iran. And as Iran draws closer to nuclear capability -- which the Israeli intelligence community believes could happen this year -- an Israeli-Iranian showdown becomes increasingly likely. According to a very senior military source with whom I've spoken, Israel is still hoping that an international effort will stop a nuclear Iran; if that fails, then Israel is hoping for an American attack. But if the Bush administration is too weakened to take on Iran, then, as a last resort, Israel will have to act unilaterally. And, added the source, Israel has the operational capability to do so.

For Israelis, that is the worst scenario of all. Except, of course, the scenario of nuclear weapons in the hands of the patron state of Hezbollah and Hamas.

Visitor Comments: 29

(29)
bob,
July 27, 2007 7:32 PM

GET THEM BEFORE THEY GET YOU !

Lets face it,your outnumbered ,instead of major battles,knock out there revenues, start with irans oil fields,half at first, if they start the missle attacks, wipe out the other half! the arabs,have no other products to export but rugs, we can do without them,I,dont like the rugs anyway! Lets not forget many Christians pray for the peace of israel daily including arabs etc. Israel, will not have peace, until you knock the socks off the bad guys surrounding you! How about using some of the secret weapons we know you have,! Based on the bible, Israel will never lose, but it will be close in the last battle!

(28)
Paul D. Bary,
July 31, 2006 12:00 AM

UN upset

UN upset over 56 civilian casualties which hezbollah put in the line of fire.Yes it is sad but it happens.Nobody wants that.Hezbollah knowingly sending rockets into civilian territory.I remeber the world trade center where we lost over three thousand civilians.I believe the muslim,Arabs all chanted,prased,and laugh.So i guess what there saying its ok for muslim,s to kill civilian,s and other muslim civilians or put civilians in the line of fire.But if a none muslim country accedently cause,s civilian lost in a war they never started they want jihad.Now they say any country supporting Israel will suffer to that also meaning civilian lives.What makes them so special.They say Islam is a peaceful religion hmmm says in Islam book if your not a Islam your less then a dog a Infedel.killing an Infedel is nothing.Now does that sound peaceful to you.And the 72 virgins if i die fighting come on are people that ignorant.Sorry if that offends anybody

(27)
edee wolfenberger,
July 19, 2006 12:00 AM

Israel has been at war with Islam for decades. Islam was in Germany during the ww2. the war has simply accelerated again. same war, same reason...

(26)
Paul D Bary,
July 19, 2006 12:00 AM

I,ll Tell You

One Israel didnt pick the time Hezbollahs did when they went into Israel and killed and kidnapped two soldiers.Two the infrastructures was Hezbollah,s and on them.Three they hit bridges,roads,airports trying to keep them from taking the soldiers out of lebanon.More or less why did the Hezbollah,s pick the tourist season.The Lebanese government is responsable.They allow a terroist group to build strong on the boarder to Israel instead of disarming them.There are always causalities to war wake up its a war.Now open your eye's.News media should never be in the war but on the side lines.War is War,Its not a pretty sight.From time to time it has to be done.In WorldWar II americans had over 5 millon soldiers.We lost thousands on a foreign land.Millions of Jews died for no reason.We stepped in for therighteousness,Freedom,and the right to exsist as free people every where.

(25)
Deborah Courage,
July 19, 2006 12:00 AM

What are we waiting for?

I am so angry.I am so angry I can barely type with these trembling fingers.They tremble with anger, deep anger.Israel, do it now. Attack Hamas and hezbollah now and wipe them off the face of this planet. They do not belong here, with us,with decent peaceful peoples of all nations. Squash them as you would a roach crawling on the floor.How much longer will you, Israel hold strain? How much longer will you, Israel stand by and watch them murder us until we are no more? Unleash your weapons, every single one and remind them that there will be NO MORE HOLOCAUST! NEVER AGAIN!I am sick of watching the slaughter of our people! Aren't you????Now we face annihilation and we are supposed to "hold strain"? NO! We shall not!Either we destroy them now or we can begin digging the trenches the nazis dug for our families 60 years ago.I want to live, I want my people to live.For that to happen, Israel must look into herself and realize that Hamas, iran, Syria,Hezbollah all have one agenda: to take away that life.Do it now Israel - fight to the end,until there is one victor standing, and with G-d's help,at the end, WE will be standing.G-d save us.

(24)
Ray Saperstein,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

Nobody will recognize unilateral boundaries

Boundaries are only valid if other countries recognize them. The world is so enamored of Palestinian "rights" that unilaterally declared boundaries will not be internationally recognized. What is the point of a policy to remove Jewish settlements that results in no real measurable gain? In fact, what is going on now shows the complete folly of a Palestinian state. Just as the Lebanese claim sovereignty of their land but will do nothing to stop attacks against Israel, a Palestinian state could give refuge to rocket batteries on the West Bank, while a sovereign Palestinian state could claim that it is not responsible for rocket attacks from the West Bank. Perhaps it is time to reconsider the goal of a Palestinian state, in view of the current circumstances. If Tony Blair is so keen on sending in international troops to Lebanon, perhaps he could suggest that an overwhelming international force be used to create a UN protectorate in Gaza and the West Bank with sufficient power to disarm the Palestinian terrorists, and in a generation or two perhaps this business of a Palestinian state could be revisited.

(23)
Anonymous,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Improved credibility

By leaving Gaza but still getting attacked, Israel has proved its decency and its willingness to try for peace.
The Arabs have shown their true hand of hatred and lost the right to mercy.

(22)
Horst Kulcsar,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

be strong

The longer it takes. The longer the USA and other western countries pussy foot around the more dangerous the situation becomes. Hezbollah ,Hammas and Iran only understand and can only be brought to negotiate by a super show of strength by Israel, USA and the other supporting Nations....It is unimaginable to think that "genocidal Islamism" is to possess nuclear weapons. At the risk of us being jolted out of our comfort zone , quick rsponse is required from a multi nation (UN) force to show Iran and its supporters we will not be blackmailed. Not now ,not in the future. Iran has the right to exist like everyone else but in peace and with the philosophy that everone else also has rights to exist. Unfortunately it will fall on Israel to do what is required but it falls on us (Australia and others) to give full support in no uncertain term.
I do not want to live under an Islamic regime not now not for my children. I like others have the right. I guess the time has come to fight for this belief.
Horst Kulcsar.

(21)
leah,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

very true Eivind Drydal!

Yes, it seems that many cannot see the obvious and underlying the brainwashing I don't see how they will.It is up to us to spread the truth. The Arabs are actually out to conquer the world eventually-seriously. They have been patient for thousands of years and they are still patient.I really do hope that in this generation we see the coming of moshiach.

(20)
Anonymous,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

2 Front War

Israel is now fighting in the North and Gaza. If you follow the news you could see it coming. Pulling out of Gaza gave the terrorists their victory, just as pulling out of the North did. Both terrorist organizations have Iran's fingerprints all over them. Taking out Hezbollah and Hamas should be first on the list. If this doesn't tell those in Iran that we are serious then the war should be taken to them.

(19)
Norman Brewer,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Strike while the iron is hot!

I feel it important that Israel's enemy's should be confronted before they strengthen.

(18)
Tony J,
July 15, 2006 12:00 AM

We are only 2

I understand what your saying , and Israel has "EVERY RIGHT" , to do as they have planed and more.
And being American Believer's , my wife
and I have not stopped praying for peace
for Israel , and we won't .

(17)
Anonymous,
July 15, 2006 12:00 AM

I am truly interested

I would like to be kept abreast of the current thinking as to what is going on in Israel

(16)
Anna,
July 15, 2006 12:00 AM

I still don't think we should have retreated from Gaza

Many people knew all the time something like this would happen eventually. What did the retreat from Gaza bring? Bombs reaching places they couldn't reach before. That's what we get for destroying Jewish homes.

(15)
Paul D. Bary,
July 15, 2006 12:00 AM

Our mistake

Why in the world we hit
Iraq instead of Iran Ill never know.Iran is the serious problem and always was.If there aloud nukes the hole world is in danger.s
Selling to terrist dirty bombs they will.Israel has every right to protect itsself.If it was me i would be hitting them harder.I am tired of the Arab lies.Its ok to inter Israel land and kidnap there soldiers but a crime if Israel protects itself.The Arab or should i say Islam is all propaganda and lies.Dogs that care little about humanity.Im an American and Israel is my brother.I stand with them and for them.They have a right to exist,a right to a country,a right for peace.Arabs & Islam are the warmongers not the west.May God help us all

(14)
Ora,
July 14, 2006 12:00 AM

defensible borders?

If unilateral withdrawals are meant to produce more defensible borders, then why are we withdrawing against the advice of our top military advisors? The only way that the government was able to get military approval for disengagement was to fire or ignore the top staff members who warned us all of the dangers. Face it, these are entirely political decisions. Those who still look to the rest of the world for approval will always find reasons to support withdrawal; those who are truly interested in security will listen to those with security experience, and not to corrupt politicians.

(13)
YH,
July 14, 2006 12:00 AM

Withdrawls are Synonymous with Danger

If you did not expect a quiet border then the Israeli public should not have been misled into thinking that peace would reign. It has been anything but peaceful as P.M. Olmert recently said at a press conference - there has not been ONE peaceful day since Israel withdrew from Gaza.

Just as we consult with medical authorities about medical conditions, we need to consult with the military about security. And the military has consistently said that withdrawals ENDANGER our security.

(12)
Eivind Dyrdal,
July 14, 2006 12:00 AM

A world without capabilties and willingness to see the sevearness of the problems of Israel.

In Norway, as in most western countries, the political situation in Israel is (as I see it) looked upon from an very quick, endless repeated and outdated marxist/leninistic view with 3 items, where the palistinians are 1. a poor people, 2. supressed and 3. occupied from Israel.
This is the whole analysis you get from media and the sympathy is always on the Palistinian side.
No one is willing to look at or confront the indoktrination going on in the Palistinian schools and kindergardens, how the children and young people are misused and abused for political purpuses by religion and pure fanatism.
In political dabats in Norwegian TV you hardly get anyone to defend Israel except for dedicated Christian people.
Have people lost their ability to think and reason individually?
Personally I feel it is a unique debate when Israel is the thema, the simple arguments are repeated endlessly are they all brainwashed?
Thanks, for good information, we all need to fight for Israel on every crossroads, and it will take time!

(11)
Rebecca Witonsky,
July 14, 2006 12:00 AM

We are with you, Israel

As a fellow Jew in America, I assure you my whole family is with you, from the most secular to the most observant among us. Our hearts are with Israel in your time of struggle and trial. I applaud your action against Hezbollah and Hamas and pray for VICTORY against these barbaric terrorists. My thoughts and prayers are with the Israeli people and the IDF and the families of the wounded and dead.

(10)
J. & E. Silk,
July 14, 2006 12:00 AM

They never learn....

Unilateralists will never, ever learn. They excuse their error-prone thinking by saying that the dire consequences are due to "tepid" responses by Israel's leaders. Don't the unilateralists understand that withdrawing unilaterally is in and of itself a "tepid" response? Oh yes, pulling out of Gaza and Southern Lebanon has certainly given Israel defensible borders. Wow! Just wait until Israel pulls out of Judea and Samaria. There will be no stopping her when that happens. And what about Tel-Aviv and Haifa? The borders are getting more and more defensible. Wake up and smell the gunpowder before it's too late...or maybe it is already. Just read the Torah.

(9)
Fighter For Freedom,
July 14, 2006 12:00 AM

Blood obsession or just a response to the attacks?!

The reasons which were given to prove Israeli’s strikes over Lebanon seem to be convincing for some people. But in fact, no body knows that Israel, and over three days of bombardments through air, sea and sol, has only destroyed an antenna to Hezbollah’s broadcasting station, and all the remaining strikes were just on infrastructures and civilian buildings. All over three days, Israel aircrafts were just aiming the bridges, the power centers, the civilian airport and some civilian buildings, killing more than 60 civilian among women and children.
Don’t know why, Israel chose usually the beginning of the tourist season to dismantle Hezbollah?! Is that just a coincidence?
Can’t anybody see that Israel never touched a Hezbollah base? Can’t anybody see that the Lebanese government was not responsible of all that matter?
Can anybody tell me why two hostages captured by a terrorist organization would cost Lebanon milliards and milliards of U$ to restore its infrastructure?! And what about the causalities, those aren’t Nasralla’s children neither wives!

(8)
Austin Wilgus,
July 14, 2006 12:00 AM

Great Article, Not Seen Elsewhere

Thanks for the information I'd probably not get to read it in my local paper. It's important to get the view of folks with their back to the wall.I just finished The Hope by Waugh a week or two ago, I hope for another 1967 Victory. Thanks again as a retired soldier, I'm an admirer of the Israeli Military. God Bless / Shalom

(7)
Anonymous,
July 13, 2006 12:00 AM

We will turn blue

If we are holding our breaths for the world's stamp of approval we are going to turn blue. We are a tiny country surrounded by depraved "people" who want to kill us. We cannot turn to the world for help, we are lucky if we can even get them to aknowledge that we have a right to defend ourselves. This is a (subtle/not so subtle) message that the only One to turn to is Hashem. The Muslims drop to the floor and pray where ever they are in devotion. Our power of prayer is stronger but only if we chose to use it. We need to use this weapon now!

(6)
Pnina Baim,
July 13, 2006 12:00 AM

what can we do to help?

What can people in America do to help?

(5)
Tina,
July 13, 2006 12:00 AM

Now I understand

why Israel withdrew from Gaza. I thank you for the education because it has bothered many of us. It makes much more sense now.

(4)
Anonymous,
July 13, 2006 12:00 AM

Chevlei Mashiach

what is happening right now, just kilometers away from me, is totally chevlei mashiach- the labor pains of mashiach.
all the strange weather these past few years have been signs of mashiachs comung.
we cannot give up hope! the whole world is watching, and isnt giving us space to move, and react to the tens of kassams and kattushyas being sent into eretz hakodesh every day!
we need more zechuyot! we need tehillim and extra strong davening.
am yisrael needs you!

(3)
Anonymous,
July 13, 2006 12:00 AM

simple solution

Once we Jews begin practicing ahavas yisroel (love of our fellow Jew) instead of sinas chinam (baseless hatred), HaShem will take care of us and no Arab power will be successful in their threats and actions. It's up to us to change our ways and then HaShem will do the fighting for us.

(2)
Joe,
July 13, 2006 12:00 AM

We need to believe that we are at war.

We need to fight to win. There can be no half measures.

(1)
batsheva,
July 13, 2006 12:00 AM

Your assessment is chilling and frightening. I wished you would have mentioned THE ONE who creates and sustains us. without him we are nothing - not even for a moment."we are believers, children of believers - we can count on no-one other than our Father in Heaven

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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